DHAKA: The International Criminal Court (ICC) highly appreciated Bangladesh’s commitment to the court as well as to the concept of rule of law.

This was stated by both the President Sang Hyun Song and the Prosecutor of the ICC Fatou Besouda when they received Bangladesh Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Huq in their respective offices recently.

Bangladesh Minister was in a day long visit to The Hague to discuss further collaboration with the court.

Anisul Huq reiterated Bangladesh’s unequivocal commitment to the court and the purpose it is willing to serve.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s own blood stained journey to freedom, Anisul Huq shared with them how Bangladesh is determined to bring an end to impunity globally.

During his meeting with the Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, they discussed the issue of birongona or “war heroine” in Bangladesh and how Bangladesh is determined to pay the respect they deserve.

The Prosecutor Bensouda was appreciative of Bangladesh’s leadership in the field of law and justice and expressed their readiness to work with Bangladesh to furthering the purposes of court.

Minister thanked the Prosecutor Bensouda for her dedication to the cause of law and justice and recorded Bangladesh’s deep appreciation for their recently released policy paper on “sexual and gender based crimes”.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s legal history, Anisul Huq assured the Office of the Prosecutor of further collaboration in implementing their policy on “sexual and gender based crimes”.

Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart, Special Assistant Sam Shoamanesh, Senior Legal Adviser Shamila Batohi and other high officials were present during the meeting.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal was with the visiting Minister during his meetings.

BDST: 1645 HRS, JAN 26, 2015